It was the evening before the inauguration party. The Smart House was complete. The entire team was getting the presentation ready for the day after. Raj Nayar sir had told the team that many important people were going to be there, starting from big business men to politicians who would later invest. This is a big moment for SanCorp and their efforts would finally show. Sanyukta really wished her parents could be there. Her mother would have been so proud and she would finally get an opportunity to prove to her father that girls can achieve their dreams if they desire and nothing was impossible. She knew that Ankit,even if he was impressed with her,would never admit it.
"Who are you bringing to the party tomorrow?" asked Parth.
"My room mate,Kaustuki. Bechari she is always so stressed about her criminal cases she definitely needs a break,replied Sanyukta.
"I would love to meet her,she sounds like a nice girl from everything that you told me about her",said Parth.
"She is."
"And is she as pretty as you?" smiled Parth.
"You'll have to find that for yourself",said Sanyukta.
Sanyukta was really liking Parth. He was different. He was sensible and mature and knew how to handle himself in front of everyone. So unlike Randhir, who only knew how to cause problems for others. Sanyukta still could not figure out why he always taunted her. Yes,his past is traumatic but he needs to understand that he can't always blame people around him for what had happened with his parents. Besides, he was all grown up now. Surely, he can handle himself.
Randhir was not enjoying like everyone else. He was doing some paperwork on some other project. But he still could not help but look at Sanyukta and Parth laughing and talking. He was heating up and getting really furious, not because Sanyukta was bonding with Parth,but because he just could not understand why that would bother him. Suddenly, the receptionist came up to him and said, Mr.Shekhawat,your father is on line 5".
Randhir nodded and after she had left she picked up the phone and pressed 5.
"How is my beta?" came a deep voice from the other end.
"I am fine dad. How are you?" asked Randhir.
"Same as always. Pata hain? I ran out of vodka today and sent Ravi to get me some but he's just not back yet!"
"And he won't bring you any. Dad you are suppose to stay sober remember? Promise bhul gaye kya?"
"Listen, I can't stay sober. I am an alcoholic. Just like you are a workaholic. Can you stay away from all those tools and machinery for one day?"
"This is my job dad. But what you are doing..."
"If I knew we were going to fight, I would have never called you. Obviously you are busy..."
"I can always make myself 'unbusy' for you...boliye why did you call?"
"I read in the papers that tomorrow you will be inaugurating The Smart House project."
"Not me. SanCorp. Vardhan Shukla will be."
"Same hi toh hua na. It's your project,your hardwork."
"It was a pure team work dad."
"Yeah yeah,that's what you say every time and Vardhan says another thing."
"I still can't believe you talked to Vardhan sir about my last project!"
"Thank you! For saying my' project."
Randhir couldn't help but smile a little. He enjoyed these conversations with his dad, even most of them were drunken conversations. But atleast he talked and listened to him. He cared about him. And that was the thing that made him smile all the time they talked.
"Acha,mujko Ravi ko dhundne jana hain",said Randhir's dad.
"No dad,he can find himself back home but I am really not sure you can if you get lost."
"Acha baba,I won't. I will just drink some water and pretend its vodka."
Randhir busted out laughing. He couldn't help it.
This was the moment when Sanyukta noticed Randhir. He still had not noticed her. He was playing with a paperweight while talking on the phone. Sanyukta was in an awe. She had not seen Randhir laugh this much since the night they first met at the caf. She stared at him. And instantly,for some odd reasons,Sanyukta was transported back to that evening when she first met Randhir. When they bumped into each other and he spilled black coffee on her white kurti. How upset she was! How angry she was with him! And that argument suddenly turned into a beautiful conversation. And Sanyukta smiled and this time Radhir saw her. Sanyukta was still thinking about that night and smiling at Randhir,unknown of the fact that Randhir was staring at her. For a slight second,Randhir was mesmerized by that smile but immediately he wondered why she was smiling at him. He got angry and hung up the phone telling his dad that he would call later that night.
He then marched towards her. Sanyukta came to her senses and the smile vanished when Randhir approached her with an angry look.
"Something very amusing?" he asked.
"Wha...what? No!" replied Sanyukta,a little confused.
"I am not blind! I saw you looking at him and smiling. You found me talking to my dad funny?"
"Tumhare dad? Oh,how is uncle?"
Randhir grabbed Sanyukta's arms and shook her really hard saying, "Don't you dare call him uncle! Don't you dare use my emotions against me to get my trust!"
"Randhir you're hurting me", said Sanyukta,loud enough for Parth to see the whole thing and come to the rescue.
"Leave her Randhir",said Parth,grabbing his hand.
Randhir looked at him with a fierce look and let Sanyukta's arms go. But he was not done. He turned his attention to Parth.
"Stay out of this okay?" he said.
"I can't",Parth replied,firmly.
"Kyun? You are worried about your girlfriend?"
"She's a friend. And a better one. She does not deserve this. And for what reason may I know," Parth demanded.
"I told you,stay out of this. This has nothing to do with you!"
"And what if I said I want to be involved?"
Sanyukta interfered. "Stop it you two!" she said. She turned towards Parth and said, "Parth,listen its fine. Randhir just likes torturing everyone around him for no reason."
"No reason?" questioned Randhir.
"Oh please,how can you blame me?" asked Sanyukta,suddenly frustrated.
"I can't even begin to tell you how I can blame you?"
Parth was furious for the first time and he was about to say something to Randhir when suddenly they all heard Vardhan sir shouting loudly. They had never heard him shout like that before and everyone ran out of the room. The corridor was filled with people and they saw Vardhan screaming at Jiggy.
"How dare you ask me that? Huh? Just because you did something like the Smart House doesn't mean that you can be God in a day?" Vardhan shouted.
"Sir,with all due respect,I was just suggesting..."began Jiggy.
"Keep your suggestions to yourself!"
"But sir, I really want to work on this..."
"The gather your own funds. Don't you dare come to me!" and saying this he went into his office and closed the door with a slam.
Jiggy was humiliated and just stood there. Sanyukta and Parth approached him. Jiggy was close to tears.
"Jiggy? What happened? Why did Vardhan sir yell at you?" asked Sanyukta.
Jiggy rubbed his eyes and just shook his head.
"Jiggy,tell us. Maybe we can help you," requested Parth.
"The usual thing",said Vidushee coming out from the crowd on the other side. "The Smart App."
"What is that?" asked Parth.
Randhir approached Jiggy and asked him, "Why do you always keep trying? You know that Vardhan sir is busy with other projects. Vardhan sir can't possibly bring in funds..."
"Acha? Whenever he wants something done, he can always gather funds. Any project that has his name on it. But jab I want something to do, something not as lucrative like The Smart House, but descent enough, then he suddenly has no funds?! I am not blind Randhir..."screamed Jiggy.
Randhir hushed him immediately. "Listen, I know this is hard. But don't worry we'll find a way. Just don't scream and let Vardhan sir know all this."
"Well,he knows! And thanks to him,I am suspended!" cried Jiggy almost breaking down.
"What?" cried Sanyukta. "But how...how did you...?"
"Isn't it obvious? He just messed things up...again!" groaned Vidushee.
Sanyukta looked at Vidushee and said, "Dekho...I know that. But suspension? Because of this?"
Just then, Raj Nayar sir came and interrupted. "People,why don't you all go home. Tomorrow is a big day for SanCorp. Go home get rest and get ready for tomorrow's event. And Jiggy,you take your time off this. Let Vardhan cool down. He's just blowing off steam right now."
The entire team decided to pack up and head home.
Parth approached Sanyukta and asked,"Sanyukta,can I give you a ride home?"
Sanyukta smiled and said, "But tumhari car toh Mumbai main hain na? Then how will you give me a ride home?"
Parth was caught and smiled. "Arrey,I'll pay for the cab."
Sanyukta agreed. Randhir watched the duo from a distant. He was getting frustrated seeing the two bond but he just could not understand the reason. He packed his bag and dashed out of the room.
Parth and Sanyukta talked about everything in the cab. Sanyukta was glad that he too found Delhi costly. "But I'm glad that I have a house in Mumbai. Or else Mumbai is way more pricey than Delhi." They talked about movies,music and Sanyukta was surprised that Parth too had arachnophobia."I am really happy that I met a friend like you in this city",said Parth.
Sanyukta smiled. The feeling was mutual. She just hoped that 'this' Parth was 'real'. She could not understand Randhir,how he is and how he behaved with everyone that night at the cafe and she would hate if Parth turned out to be completely different.
Sanyukta got out of the cab and waved at him. "I'll see you tomorrow. Hopefully I won't be able to take my eyes off you",smiled Parth.
"Sure,maybe because I'll be bringing a sexy friend with me. stop being so cheesy!" said Sanyukta.
The cab drove away.
Sanyukta approached her door and did not ring the bell. She used he spare keys and unlock the door only to find Kaustuki talking to a young man (but older to her),wearing a blazer and tie, in the living room. The duo sprang up from their chairs and surprised Sanyukta.
"Sanyu! What are you doing here so early?" asked a stunned Kaustuki.
"I finished early and...who are you?" she asked turning to look at the man who stood beside her.
The young man smiled and said, "I am sorry to not introduce myself earlier. My name is Harsh Mehta. I am an associate in Singhania/Sharma. Have you ever heard of that firm?"
"I don't know much about law but I do know Singhania/Sharma is one of the biggest law firms in the country. It is a pleasure to meet you",she said reaching her hand out to shake his.
"Pleasure is mine. Kaustuki tells me you are an engineer. where do you work?" he asked.
"SanCorp",Sanyukta replied and smiled.
"Wow. Big," he said.
"Harsh and I were just discussing about that case I told you about",said Kaustuki looking at Harsh.
"Oh yeah...that powerful man with connections," said Sanyukta.
"Is that all she told you?" asked Harsh and he laughed.
"Don't worry. Kaustuki is a brilliant lawyer and she would never give out confidential information even to her room mate," smiled Sanyukta.
Kaustuki smiled.
"Well,I have to get a move on. You two talk",said Harsh. "Keep me updated and don't have too much fun." He told Kaustuki.
Kaustuki smiled faintly.
He said good bye to Sanyukta and closed the door behind him.
NOTE:I could not come with a better name for Ankit and Parth's company. I recently saw Divergent and used it instead. silly me! Post your comments/suggestions below and don't forget to press the 'LIKE' button below if you think I deserve it. The bumpy ride has just begun my fellow readers! Enjoy!
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